Audio T Verdict
Pro-Ject Wash it 2 takes one of the easiest parts of record cleaning to get wrong and removes the guesswork. Unlike the original Wash it concentrate, there is nothing to measure, dilute or mix with distilled water. Open the bottle, apply the fluid and start cleaning.
The formula combines cleaning concentrate with demineralised water in the correct ratio and contains no alcohol. It is suitable for both vinyl and shellac records, designed to dissolve everyday contamination including grease, and evaporates quickly without leaving a residue behind.
If you own a Pro-Ject vacuum record cleaner, this is the fluid it was designed around. Keeping a larger bottle on hand makes particular sense for anyone who regularly buys second-hand records or has an established collection that gets cleaned routinely.
Pro-Ject Wash it 2 Record Cleaning Fluid
Wash it 2 is Pro-Ject's current generation of record cleaning fluid, developed for use with its vacuum record cleaning machines and supplied ready mixed for immediate use.
Demineralised water and cleaning concentrate are combined at the optimum ratio during manufacture, eliminating the need to measure concentrate or source suitable water before cleaning a record.
- Current generation Pro-Ject record cleaning fluid
- Ready-to-use formula
- No dilution required
- Pre-mixed with demineralised water
- Alcohol-free formulation
- Suitable for vinyl records
- Suitable for shellac records
- Optimised for Pro-Ject vacuum record cleaning machines
- Dissolves a wide range of contamination
- Helps dissolve fat and grease
- Fast evaporation
- Designed to leave no residue
- Non-toxic
- Non-flammable
- Available in 250ml, 500ml and 1-litre bottles
- Optimum application temperature of 20°C to 40°C
- Optimum storage temperature of 10°C to 25°C
Ready to Use Straight From the Bottle
The biggest practical change from Pro-Ject's earlier record cleaning concentrate is that Wash it 2 arrives ready to use.
There is no mixing ratio to calculate and no need to dilute the fluid yourself. Pro-Ject has already combined the cleaning concentrate and demineralised water in the intended ratio.
That makes preparing a record cleaning session faster while also removing one of the variables that can affect the cleaning process.
Do Not Dilute Wash it 2
Wash it 2 is not the older Pro-Ject Wash it concentrate. It is already mixed with demineralised water and supplied ready to use, so there is no requirement to add tap water, distilled water or any other liquid.
Pre-Mixed With Demineralised Water
Record cleaning fluid inevitably leaves a record wet before the vacuum system extracts it, which makes the quality of the water used in the cleaning solution important.
Wash it 2 is manufactured using demineralised water rather than relying on the customer to mix concentrate with their domestic water supply.
This also avoids accidentally introducing the minerals and other substances that can be present in ordinary tap water.
Why Not Use Tap Water?
Tap water varies considerably depending on where you live. It can contain dissolved minerals that are perfectly acceptable for drinking but are unnecessary when cleaning the very fine groove structure of a record.
By supplying Wash it 2 already mixed with demineralised water, Pro-Ject provides a consistent cleaning solution regardless of the local water supply.
Alcohol-Free Formula
Wash it 2 contains no alcohol.
Pro-Ject deliberately developed the formula this way so it could clean records effectively without relying on an alcohol-based solution.
The alcohol-free formulation also allows Wash it 2 to be used with both conventional vinyl and shellac records.
Suitable for Vinyl Records
Wash it 2 is intended for wet cleaning conventional vinyl records with a suitable record cleaning machine.
The cleaning solution works with the brush to loosen contamination from the groove before the vacuum system physically extracts the fluid and suspended dirt from the playing surface.
Suitable for Shellac Records
Pro-Ject also specifies Wash it 2 as suitable for cleaning shellac records.
This is an important distinction for collectors with 78 RPM material because alcohol-based cleaning solutions should not be treated as universally suitable across different record materials.
Check More Than the Cleaning Fluid When Cleaning 78s
Wash it 2 itself is suitable for shellac, but you should also make sure the record cleaning machine and any required accessories are appropriate for the size of record you intend to clean.
Dissolves Dirt, Fat and Grease
Record contamination is not limited to loose dust.
Fingerprints, handling marks and greasy deposits can adhere to the playing surface and become more difficult to remove with a conventional dry record brush.
Pro-Ject formulated Wash it 2 to dissolve a wide range of impurities, including fat and grease, so that the loosened contamination can then be removed by the record cleaner's vacuum system.
Why Wet Cleaning?
A dry record brush remains useful for everyday dust removal before playback, but it cannot necessarily remove contamination lodged deeper within the groove.
Wet cleaning introduces a cleaning solution that can loosen more stubborn contamination before the dirty fluid is extracted from the record.
It can be particularly worthwhile with:
- Second-hand records
- Older collections
- Records carrying fingerprints
- Greasy or marked playing surfaces
- Dusty records that need more than a dry brush
- New records carrying manufacturing or packaging contamination
Fast Evaporation
Wash it 2 is designed to evaporate quickly after application.
When used with a Pro-Ject vacuum cleaning machine, most of the liquid is physically extracted from the playing surface during the vacuum cycle, with the remaining moisture able to evaporate rapidly.
Designed to Leave No Residue
Removing dirt from a record is only half the job. A cleaning solution should not replace that contamination with a dried coating of its own.
Pro-Ject specifies Wash it 2 as evaporating without leaving residue on the record surface after drying.
This makes it particularly well suited to vacuum cleaning, where the used solution and loosened contamination are extracted together.
Optimised for Pro-Ject Vacuum Cleaners
Wash it 2 was developed specifically around Pro-Ject's vacuum record cleaning system.
It is the cleaning fluid supplied with the company's current record cleaning machines, including the compact VC-E2 and premium VC-S3.
Pro-Ject also specifies the formula as helping to ensure maximum vacuum-motor life when used with its record cleaning machines.
Wash it 2 and the Pro-Ject VC-E2
The Pro-Ject VC-E2 Vinyl Record Cleaning Machine is supplied with a 100ml starter bottle of Wash it 2.
The fluid is applied to the record and worked across the groove using the supplied brush before the metal vacuum arm extracts the contaminated solution.
Keeping a larger bottle of Wash it 2 available means the machine can continue to be used once the original starter bottle has been exhausted.
Wash it 2 and the Pro-Ject VC-S3
The larger Pro-Ject VC-S3 ALU Vinyl Record Cleaning Machine also uses Wash it 2 as its standard cleaning fluid.
Its larger physical format and 2.5-litre waste-fluid reservoir make the VC-S3 particularly suitable for enthusiasts cleaning larger collections, making the larger Wash it 2 bottle sizes a logical partner.
How Should Wash it 2 Be Applied?
Apply enough Wash it 2 to wet the playing surface evenly before using the record cleaning brush to distribute the fluid across the groove.
The aim is to allow the cleaning solution to contact the complete playing area rather than flood the record unnecessarily.
Once the solution has been worked across the groove, the vacuum arm can remove the fluid together with the contamination it has loosened.
Let the Fluid Reach the Groove
Spread Wash it 2 evenly across the playing surface using the cleaning brush. Heavily contaminated records can benefit from allowing the fluid a few seconds to work before vacuum extraction.
Use the Brush in Both Directions
With Pro-Ject's current bi-directional record cleaning machines, the cleaning brush can be used while the record rotates in both directions.
This helps work the Wash it 2 solution across the groove before the vacuum stage begins.
Don't Flood the Record
More cleaning fluid does not automatically mean a cleaner record.
The objective is to create an even wet layer across the playing surface so that the cleaning solution and brush can work together effectively.
Excessive fluid simply gives the vacuum system more liquid to remove and increases the chance of unnecessary spillage.
Keep Cleaning Fluid Away From the Record Label
Use the correct clamp supplied with your Pro-Ject record cleaner and apply the fluid to the playing area rather than the centre label. The magnetic clamps on the current VC-E2 and VC-S3 are designed to help seal the label during cleaning.
What Happens to the Used Wash it 2?
On a Pro-Ject vacuum record cleaner, used Wash it 2 is pulled from the playing surface through the vacuum arm and into the machine's internal collection reservoir.
Because the solution evaporates readily, Pro-Ject notes that fluid also continues to evaporate after entering the waste container, reducing how frequently the reservoir may need to be emptied during normal domestic use.
Helps Keep the Vacuum System Working Correctly
Wash it 2 is formulated specifically for Pro-Ject vacuum cleaners rather than being a general household cleaning solution pressed into record-cleaning duty.
Pro-Ject lists optimisation for its vacuum cleaners and maximum vacuum-motor lifetime among the benefits of the current formula.
Optimum Application Temperature
Pro-Ject specifies an optimum application temperature of 20°C to 40°C.
For normal domestic use, that means the fluid is best used around typical room temperature rather than immediately after being stored somewhere particularly cold.
Optimum Storage Temperature
The manufacturer's optimum storage range is 10°C to 25°C.
Keep the bottle properly closed and stored in a sensible indoor environment between cleaning sessions.
Store Wash it 2 Sensibly
Avoid leaving the bottle somewhere exposed to excessive heat, freezing conditions or significant temperature swings. Pro-Ject specifies an optimum storage temperature between 10°C and 25°C.
Eco-Friendly, Non-Toxic and Non-Flammable
Pro-Ject describes the high-purity components used in Wash it 2 as eco-friendly, non-toxic and non-flammable.
Combined with the alcohol-free formulation, this makes Wash it 2 a purpose-designed alternative to improvised record cleaning mixtures and household cleaning products.
Use a Purpose-Designed Record Cleaning Fluid
A record groove is not the place to experiment with washing-up liquid, household surface cleaners or other untested mixtures. Wash it 2 has been formulated specifically for cleaning records with Pro-Ject vacuum machines.
250ml, 500ml or 1 Litre?
Wash it 2 is available in three current bottle sizes, allowing you to choose according to how frequently you use your record cleaning machine.
250ml
- Smallest standard refill size
- Useful for occasional cleaning
- Easy to store
- Good choice for smaller collections
500ml
- Mid-size bottle
- Useful general-purpose refill
- Suited to regular record cleaning
- Good balance of capacity and storage size
1000ml / 1 Litre
- Largest current bottle
- Best suited to frequent cleaning
- Useful for larger record collections
- Ideal companion to regularly used vacuum cleaners
Which Should I Choose?
- Occasional cleaning: 250ml
- Regular cleaning: 500ml
- Large collection: 1 litre
- The fluid itself is the same across all sizes
Looking After a Vinyl Collection
Wet cleaning does not replace everyday record care. Keeping records in clean inner sleeves, handling them by the edges and using a suitable dry brush before playback can all reduce how quickly contamination returns.
Our guide to looking after your vinyl records covers some straightforward habits that can help keep records and styli cleaner between deeper cleaning sessions.
Recommended Cleaning Routine
- Place the record onto your Pro-Ject record cleaning machine.
- Fit the appropriate record clamp.
- Start the machine's rotation.
- Apply enough Wash it 2 to wet the playing surface evenly.
- Use the supplied cleaning brush to distribute the fluid across the groove.
- Work the fluid across the record in both directions where your machine supports bi-directional rotation.
- Allow particularly stubborn contamination a few seconds to loosen.
- Position the vacuum arm.
- Switch on the vacuum system.
- Allow the vacuum to extract the used Wash it 2 and loosened contamination.
- Stop the vacuum once the playing surface is dry.
- Turn the record over and repeat for the second side.
- Handle the freshly cleaned record by its edges.
- Return it to a clean inner sleeve when finished.
Key Features
- Pro-Ject Wash it 2
- Record cleaning fluid
- Current generation formula
- Ready-to-use mixture
- No dilution required
- Pre-mixed solution
- Demineralised water
- Cleaning concentrate
- Optimum pre-mixed ratio
- Alcohol-free
- Suitable for vinyl
- Suitable for shellac
- Designed for wet record cleaning
- Optimised for Pro-Ject vacuum cleaners
- Suitable for current Pro-Ject RCMs
- VC-E2 compatible
- VC-S3 compatible
- Dissolves contamination
- Dissolves fat
- Dissolves grease
- Fast evaporating
- Designed for zero residue
- High-purity components
- Manufacturer describes as eco-friendly
- Non-toxic
- Non-flammable
- Designed to support vacuum-motor longevity
- 20°C to 40°C optimum application temperature
- 10°C to 25°C optimum storage temperature
- 250ml bottle available
- 500ml bottle available
- 1000ml bottle available
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Pro-Ject Wash it 2 still current?
Yes. Wash it 2 remains Pro-Ject's current ready-to-use record cleaning fluid.
What is Wash it 2?
It is Pro-Ject's ready-to-use record cleaning solution for wet vacuum record cleaning machines.
Is Wash it 2 a concentrate?
No. Wash it 2 is supplied pre-mixed and ready to use.
Do I need to dilute Wash it 2?
No. Demineralised water and cleaning concentrate are already mixed in the intended ratio.
Should I add distilled water?
No. Unlike the older Wash it concentrate, Wash it 2 requires no additional water.
Should I add tap water?
No. Wash it 2 is already mixed using demineralised water.
Does Wash it 2 contain alcohol?
No. It is alcohol free.
Can Wash it 2 clean vinyl records?
Yes.
Can Wash it 2 clean shellac records?
Yes. Pro-Ject specifies it as suitable for both vinyl and shellac records.
What kind of dirt does it remove?
Pro-Ject states that Wash it 2 dissolves a wide range of impurities, including fat and grease.
Does Wash it 2 leave residue?
It is designed to evaporate without leaving residue on the record surface after drying.
Does Wash it 2 evaporate quickly?
Yes. Fast evaporation is one of the manufacturer's specified features.
Is it suitable for the Pro-Ject VC-E2?
Yes. Wash it 2 is the cleaning fluid supplied with and recommended for the VC-E2.
Is it suitable for the Pro-Ject VC-S3?
Yes. Wash it 2 is also supplied with and recommended for the VC-S3.
Is it designed for vacuum record cleaners?
Yes. Pro-Ject describes Wash it 2 as optimised for its vacuum record cleaning machines.
Why is it pre-mixed?
Pre-mixing provides the intended ratio of cleaning concentrate to demineralised water without requiring the customer to measure or source suitable water.
How much should I put on a record?
Use enough fluid to wet the playing surface evenly so the cleaning brush can work it across the groove, without unnecessarily flooding the record.
Should I brush the record in both directions?
With compatible bi-directional Pro-Ject cleaners, working the fluid across the groove in both directions is recommended before vacuum extraction.
Should I soak the record?
No. Apply enough Wash it 2 to wet the playing surface evenly. Particularly dirty records can be given a few seconds for the fluid to work before vacuuming.
Can Wash it 2 reach the record label?
It should be applied to the playing surface. Use the correct record clamp to help protect the centre label from cleaning fluid.
What is the optimum temperature for using Wash it 2?
Pro-Ject specifies 20°C to 40°C as the optimum application temperature.
What is the optimum storage temperature?
10°C to 25°C.
Is Wash it 2 flammable?
No. Pro-Ject describes the formula as non-flammable.
Is Wash it 2 toxic?
Pro-Ject describes its high-purity components as non-toxic.
What bottle sizes are available?
Current sizes are 250ml, 500ml and 1000ml.
Is 1000ml the same as 1 litre?
Yes.
Which bottle size should I buy?
The 250ml bottle is useful for occasional cleaning, 500ml suits more regular use and the 1-litre bottle makes sense for larger collections or frequent cleaning sessions.
Is the formula different between bottle sizes?
No. The different options simply provide different quantities of the same Wash it 2 cleaning fluid.
Can I make my own record cleaning solution instead?
We recommend using a purpose-designed record cleaning solution rather than experimenting with household cleaners or unverified mixtures on valuable records.
Is Wash it 2 the same as the original Pro-Ject Wash it?
No. The older Wash it product was supplied as concentrate and required dilution. Wash it 2 is the newer ready-to-use pre-mixed formulation.
Related Pro-Ject Products
Why Buy Pro-Ject Wash it 2 From Audio T?
Using a proper record cleaning machine is straightforward once you know how much fluid to apply, how to work it through the groove and how short the vacuum cycle actually needs to be.
Audio T can help with the complete process, from choosing between the Pro-Ject VC-E2 and VC-S3 to demonstrating how Wash it 2 should be applied and supplying replacement fluid when the starter bottle runs out.
- In-store record cleaning advice
- Wet-cleaning guidance
- Wash it 2 application advice
- Correct brush technique
- Bi-directional cleaning guidance
- Vacuum-cycle advice
- Record-clamp guidance
- Vinyl cleaning advice
- Shellac compatibility advice
- VC-E2 support
- VC-S3 support
- Replacement cleaning fluid
- Record-care advice
- Ongoing after-sales support
Contact your local Audio T store for advice on record cleaning, choosing the correct Wash it 2 bottle size or finding the right cleaning machine for your vinyl collection.